Kenny Vance & The Planotones, & More Set for ROCK & ROLL SPECTACULAR at bergenPAC, 8/11

Rrazz Entertainment presents A Fall Rock & Roll Spectacular at Bergen Performing Arts Center on Friday October 11th- See Bobby Rydell, , Kenny Vance & The Planotones, Charlie Thomas' Difters, Emil Stucchhio & The Classics, Barbara Harris & The Toys--tickets for this great show are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 201 227 1030. bergenPAC is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood New Jersey.

Bobby Rydell's influence on popular music has been profound. When the producers of "Grease" wanted to pay tribute to the era in which the popular musical was set, they named the high school where most of the action took place "Rydell High."

Today Bobby enjoys a career that is full. He performs a busy solo schedule throughout the world. Australia has welcomed him for 17 tours down under, where he continues to be a favorite. He's a showroom favorite in Vegas and Atlantic City as well. For the past 20+ years Bobby has also enjoyed performing with a must-see production called "The Golden Boys." A happy fun filled look back at a simpler time in music history with his childhood pals, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.

The teen idol, now a seasoned performer, continues to perform to sell out audiences throughout the world. As a review of one of his recent performances put it, "Bobby Rydell is a true American Music Treasure."

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER (1988) Charlie Thomas was was a member of a group known as the Five Crowns in 1958 along with Ben Earl Nelson (later known as Ben E. King), who were being managed by Lover Patterson.

While the The Five Crowns met with little commercial success, they enjoyed local popularity and that is why they were on the bill at the Apollo Theater in New York City in 1958 when George Treadwell fired his famous group, The Drifters. It was Charlie Thomas' voice that Treadwell heard and hastily recruited the Crowns to become the new Drifters.

Lover Patterson once said that Charlie Thomas' voice was one that the world would enjoy forever, and he was right!

The new Drifters first release in 1959 was a song called "There Goes My Baby". This was the beginning of what is generally acknowledged as the Golden Years of the Drifters.

In 1988, Charlie Thomas, along with other original members, Doc Green, Ben E. King and Elsbery Hobbs were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Kenny Vance and The Planotones As a kid in New York, Kenny Vance was captivated by the magic of rock'n roll. At the age of fifteen, he was hanging around the famed Brill Building, meeting other singers and songwriters. Eventually he formed the successful group Jay and The Americans, who had the distinction of opening for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for each of their first U.S. performances.

Kenny remained with Jay and The Americans throughout the group's eleven-year history, touring extensively and recording fifteen albums, which included the hits Come A Little Bit Closer, Cara Mia, She Cried, and Only In America. In the years that followed, Kenny Vance began an expansive career that kicked off with producing the first record for Walter Becker and Donald Fagen - Steely Dan. Kenny went on to compose, supervise and produce a long list of scores and soundtracks for feature films and television. He gave the film of the Alan Freed story, American Hot Wax, its musical life by recreating the groups of the 50's and 60's for the screen. The Planotones were formed for that film and gave their first on-screen performance. In addition, Vance served as musical director forSaturday Night Live and music supervisor for the films "Animal House," "Eddie & The Cruisers," and "Looking For An Echo." As an actor, Kenny has appeared in "Hurly Burly," "Billy Bathgate," "American Hot Wax," "Eddie & The Cruisers," and in the Woody Allen films "Manhattan", "Stardust Memories", "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Husbands and Wives".

Emil Stucchio and The Classics' unique style puts them in a class of their own. They received their recording contract in 1959 and their first release "Cinderella" hit the national Top 100.

In 1963, The Classics released TILL THEN which sold over 5 1/2 million records and was voted #6 on the all time Top 100 records on CBS FM! Their follow-up P.S. I LOVE YOU in 1964 was also a top 40 record.

They have received national acclaim for their top-selling CDs. Intimate Reflections is a collection of beautiful standards, featuring "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" and "Somewhere". Their Gold Dust CD includes their own songs, along with "Cara Mia" and "You'll Never Know". Embracing the rich music of their grandparents, La Musica D'Italia offers these great Italian favorites: "Statte Vicino Amme", "O Solo Mio" and "Mala Femmina". Their CD, Club Illusion, is a collection of all-time favorites, including "Old Songs", "Hungry Years", "For Your Love", "Hurt" and "Wildflower".

The foundation of The Classics is the outstanding original lead voice of Emil Stucchio. Completing the circle of style and blend are Al Contrera (featured on "When You're Smiling" from Club Illusion) and Teresa McClean, lead voice on "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". To the pleasure of their many fans, Teresa and Emil sing together in "You've Got What It Takes" and "Since I Don't Have You/Only Make Believe", both found on Club Illusion. Their popularity has continued to grow as shown by a recent radio survey, where they were voted 6th most popular out of 500.

Their latest CD release A Moment in Time has gotten rave reviews nationwide. It includes great songs such as "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", "I Who Have Nothing", "Wonderful, Wonderful", and "If You Love Me". It also features two great duets by Emil and Teresa, "Our Day Will Come" and "History is Made at Night" (from the NBC hit "Smash") as well as a rousing version of "River Deep" by Teresa. The Classics continually hit the mark with beautifully orchestrated arrangements by Tom Schizzano

With over 50 years of entertainment experience and excellent vocal talents, The Classics continue to receive rave reviews from audiences and producers from coast to coast, including Atlantic City and Las Vegas. The addition of an Italian show adds to the versatility of The Classics, along with the songs and humor, for which they are noted. From Fifties to Standards, from Italian to today's sounds, their shows, complete with outrageous comedy routines, are professional in every way. The Classics add a special touch to every show. They are truly a class act.

Recent performances include New York City's Radio City Music Hall, The Metropolitan Museum, Carnegie Hall and Town Hall; The Tropicana Hotel, The PNC Bank Arts Center and The IZOD Center (in NJ); The Convention Center Arena (in NV), Mohegan Sun Casino and Westport Country Playhouse (both in CT); The Philharmonic Performing Arts Center and The Kravis Center for The Performing Arts (in FL), The Capitol One Theater in Westbury (NY), The American Music Theater (in Lancaster, PA), Crystal Gateway Hotel (in VA), The Paramount Theater (in KY), The KimMel Center (Philadelphia, PA), Long Island NY's Nassau Coliseum, many luxury cruise lines and numerous national television appearance as well.

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